Earlier on Wednesday, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba was reelected as the country's head for a third term after securing 64.2% of the vote. Following the election body's announcement, the Gabonese military delivered a televised address, declaring that the election results were canceled and all institutions were dissolved, AFP reported. The president has since been placed under house arrest, while his son has been detained.
"After today's meeting, which was attended by all the commanders and the Chief of the General Staff [...] General Brice Oligui Nguema is unanimously appointed [...] as president for the transitional period," the rebel's spokesman said on air of a local broadcaster.